Better Than Anything Toffee
Better Than Anything Toffee is a classic, crunchy, buttery dessert made with caramelized sugar and butter. Easy to prepare and customizable with nuts or chocolate, this irresistible treat delivers a rich buttery flavor with a satisfying snap in every bite, perfect for sharing or gifting.
- Author: Lucas
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
- Yield: About 40 pieces 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Optional Toppings
- Chopped nuts (almonds, pecans, or walnuts)
- Chocolate chips (dark or milk chocolate)
- Flaky sea salt for sprinkling
- Prepare Your Pan: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent sticking. Set aside and have all ingredients ready before you start heating.
- Melt the Butter and Sugar: In a heavy-bottomed saucepan set over medium heat, combine the unsalted butter and granulated sugar. Stir continuously until the mixture melts completely and begins to bubble, bringing it to a gentle boil.
- Cook to the Right Temperature: Attach a candy thermometer to the pan and cook the mixture until it reaches 300°F (hard crack stage). This step is crucial for achieving the perfect hard toffee texture with a satisfying crunch.
- Add Vanilla and Salt: Remove the pan from heat immediately upon reaching temperature and quickly stir in the vanilla extract and salt. Mix well to evenly distribute the flavors throughout the toffee.
- Spread and Cool: Pour the hot toffee onto the prepared baking sheet and spread it thinly and evenly with a spatula. Allow the toffee to cool completely at room temperature for about two hours or until fully hardened.
- Break and Serve: Once set, break the toffee into bite-sized pieces. Store in an airtight container at room temperature or enjoy immediately.
Notes
- Use a heavy-bottomed pan to ensure even heating and avoid hot spots that can burn the caramel.
- Monitor the temperature closely with a candy thermometer to reach the hard crack stage accurately without burning.
- Stir constantly during melting and boiling to prevent the mixture from burning or sticking.
- Work quickly when adding vanilla and salt after removing from the heat to ensure even flavor distribution.
- Cool the toffee at room temperature naturally to achieve the best texture and crispness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece (approx. 10g)
- Calories: 70 kcal
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 35mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: toffee, homemade toffee, crunchy toffee, buttery toffee, easy candy recipe, caramelized sugar dessert, sweet treat